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The rain pattered serenely on the hotel window as bizville was darkened by clouds. Peyton stared out the window at the sight, deep in thought about everything that had occurred.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Parker rummaging in their suites cabinets for something.
“You lookin for something, Birdie?” Peyton smiled, walking over to their partner.
“Mhm…” they shut the cabinet, unsuccessful, “mtryin….” They trailed off, their eyes fluttering shut.
Peyton was quick to notice and pulled them up to hold them. “Woah, hey— are you feeling okay??”
“Mhm….im just… tired…” they yawned, leaning their head on their partner’s shoulder. “You’re warm…can we cuddle?”
Peyton’s face flushed. “Yeah! Let’s go to bed first, can’t have you falling over now can we?”
“Mmmyeah….”
They both shuffled over to their bed tucked themselves into it, Parker resting their head on their partner’s chest, listening to their heartbeat.
“…” Peyton stared at the ceiling for a little bit before looking down at Parker who looked exhausted. “You sure you’re okay? You’ve been quite all day.” They asked, brushing Parker’s bangs out of the way
Parker didn’t answer right away, just leaning into Peyton’s hand. “…I’m okay…” they barely mumbled out, “I’m just…. Tired.”
The avian took a deep breath, opening their eyes. Their eyelids felt incredibly heavy, like staying awake was nigh on impossible. But they did so to…. Why was Peyton making that face? There’s no reason to worry…right?
“Parker do you… uhm…. Can you tell me what you’re feeling?”
“…I’m.. just tired… Peyton do you think I’m sick?”
“It’s not too bad. Just a small fever.” Peyton moved to run their hands over Parker’s feathers, “do you need anything? Food? Water?”
“Mmh. Just cuddles.” They shut their eyes, lowering their head back down to their partners chest “…’msorry… that… was…cheesy…” they trailed off, their fatigue lulling them to sleep
“…I don’t mind it.” Peyton smiled “you’re cute when you’re cheesy”
“…thank you…” they mumbled, their voice just barely above a whisper.
The only sound that came from the avian were the coos of a mourning dove. A mourning dove… something that had a somber name for such a lively thing. Almost like the nature Parker provided.
Of course Peyton couldn’t help but question their actions. Why push themself for.. well.. them? What’s in it for Parker? And Parker seems to know everything and nothing at the same time.
“You’re so weird…” Peyton whispered, not as an insult. Never as an insult. They merely thought of all the times Parker’s movements and words were almost practiced, their words seemed to have been repeated with the exhaustion of someone who is stretched thin.
But…. It all came back to them. The unicorn. The very nature of Peyton was also contradictory to Parker… always in a good way though. Peyton was graceful yet fierce, strong yet soft. Parker could go on about Peyton if they were asked… and it made Peyton so happy to see Parker have such a passionate spark in their eyes.
It was contagious.
…
Parker awoke to only the light of the lamp next to them. They looked over to see Peyton’s sleeping face. “…I hope I didn’t infect ya.” They whispered, getting up and taking off their hoodie.
They shuffled into the bathroom, turning the lights on just in case.
Preening their feathers, half awake they watched as their feathers fell the same way they always had. One on the left, one on the right, both landing off center in the sink. Parker had gone through loop after loop…. Day after day… time after time…. Making sure they’d both get home together.
They looked at themself in the mirror. Something dark was behind them, something grotesque and horrifying.
“… you’re not real.” They breathed in, feeling their eyes water as their feathers prickled up around their face and body.
Thankfully, their thoughts were interrupted by a very sleepy unicorn. “Parker…? You alright?”
“Mhm!” They turned to their hornless partner, “just… hallucinating again. You know the drill…”
The wingless avian watched their partner approach and start preening at the small wings on their head. They leaned in, feeling safer with them there.
“What are you seeing this time?” Peyton asked
“…just a shadow. Of something I’m scared of.” Parker answered, being vague.
“… just a shadow?” Peyton parroted, “you’re as convincing as horseshoe pretending to be a diamond.”
They paused.
“Do you want to talk about it?” They asked quietly
Parker breathed out, knowing their own dishonesty wasn’t going to help either of them. “I…. I’m seeing… you.” They began, “but… it… it’s like… everything I fear happening to you… like.. happened to you. You know?”
“I know.” Peyton nodded, listening to them as they brushed Parker’s neck feathers
“It’s horrible. And—“
“Don’t apologize for it” Peyton interrupted them, a reminder to let themself feel the heavy things with them
Parker puffed up their feathers, gathering courage, “thank you. I…. I don’t want to go home if youre not there.”
“Hey” Peyton tilted Parker’s face upwards to face them more, “I’m going home with you. I’m gonna make sure I get there with you.” They smile, “you make life sound fun. And I wanna try it— especially if it’s with you.”
Parker wiped their eyes with their head wings, tearing up. “Oh god. I’m not crying you’re just—“ they shook their head.
They took a deep breath to calm their nerves and they leaned in to kiss them, Peyton meeting them in the middle.
They were soft, a stark contrast to how strong they were. Parker eventually leaned back, parting from the kiss.
“…uh” Peyton smiled sheepishly at them, a request for an explanation
“Oh! Uh! I wanted to kiss you real bad” they blushed, “probably shouldn’t have because I’m—“
“No” they interrupted, “it- it’s fine…. It was lovely actually. I don’t care.” Peyton did care, though they weren’t going to make Parker feel bad about it
Parker smiled, taking their partners hand gently, pulling them along back to their shared bed, turning off the lights while they’re at it.
Peyton got into bed, pulling Parker on top of them, “cozy?” They ask, pulling the covers over them.
“Mhm….see you in the morning…” Parker mumbled resting their head on their partner’s chest once more, comforted by the thought of the future. The present. *their* present.
… everything was going to be okay.
Right?